Need for Speed Underground 2

Who needs a boring racetrack when there's an entire virtual city full of concrete just waiting to be torn to shreds at the flick of a nitrous switch?

NFSU2 throws you into a sprawling city with only a handful of cash, a woefully uncool stock car and the desire to become the city's fastest street racer.

To become the number one racer you'll need to use the game's handy mini-map, which directs you to where the latest events are taking place. It's still easy to get lost, though, because the city is vast and has a road system like a bowl of spaghetti.

The original NFSU's city was a little repetitive, but now it's broken up into five distinct neighbourhoods, each is suitably spectacular. Most of the time you fly through these districts so quickly that everything becomes one big neon blur, but it's worth slowing down to soak up the sights.

There are always several meets happening at once, so you'll never get stuck doing one frustrating race. A variety of race types are on offer, all with one thing in common: this is a racer that is relatively easy to get into.

While the driving action isn't quite as satisfying as the superb Burnout 3, it's still strong enough to keep you playing through the 150 or so races.

As you rack up cash, you can then upgrade your car with hundreds of licensed parts. There's a compelling storyline (complete with a Vin Diesel look-alike) to keep you motivated, too.

The car modifications, however, are this game's strongest feature and there are hundreds of licensed cars and parts just waiting for your open wallet.

NFSU2 builds on the success of the original by offering better tracks, more cars and many other improvements that budding racers are sure to love.

Colin McRae 2005

Colin McRae had a pretty easy time of it when it came to rally games, but the past year has seen two topnotch bush-bashers released and now he's between a rock and a hard place.

That rock is the rocking arcade rally game Rallisport Challenge 2, which offers better visuals, a more tangible driving sensation and arguably the best online support ever seen in a racing game. That hard place is Richard Burns Rally, which has established itself as easily the most realistic (not to mention difficult) rally game. In the wake of these two triple-A titles, Colin McRae 2005 comes off feeling a little too tired to remain the pinnacle of rally gaming.

We're given the requisite new cars and tracks, and the graphics have been given a bit of a polish. The main visual improvement is a depth filter that blurs things in the distance. While it's pretty, it isn't enough to match Rallisport Challenge 2's superb visuals.

The biggest change to the game is the introduction of online racing, allowing you to go head-to-head with seven other players. Even this pales compared with the multiplayer-friendly Rallisport. In Colin, players can't make contact as you only race a "ghost" version of the other cars. This removes a lot of the fun of bumping and scraping that Rallisport offers.

If it wasn't for the competition, Colin McRae 2005 would have improved just enough to satisfy the devoted rally fan. Unfortunately it's competing against games that are better.
Prices and details correct at publication date.

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.